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You probably don’t need to be told that having a working air conditioner is a must for life in Arlington, TX and elsewhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. When the Texas Rangers chose to leave their stadium after just 25 years of calling it home because it didn’t have a roof on it, that’s a sure sign that you don’t want to be without air conditioning in the summer if you’re going to live here.
Because of that, it’s critical that you spot the signs that AC repair is necessary as soon as they appear. The last thing you want is to have your HVAC give out on you right as the summer heat really gets oppressive in the Metroplex, and the best thing you can do is to be on the lookout for any serious issues with your system.
Some of these signs won’t always be all that obvious, but others are an easy sign that you’re in need of a repair at the first opportunity. Here’s what to pay attention to in your house!
Humid Feeling in the Home
Your home is not supposed to feel like the outside when everything is working properly, so if you’re feeling like it’s sticky and uncomfortable in your home, then you’ve likely got a real problem with your AC. Your air conditioner works by pulling in the warm, humid air from outside and removing the heat and humidity from it, giving you cool air that makes your home a far more comfortable place to be.
When it fails to do so, you’re going to need AC repair rather quickly, because the feeling is only going to get worse during the summer months. Not only that, but demand will increase rather quickly during the summer as an air conditioner repair becomes a necessity to escape the Texas heat. As soon as you notice anything close to a problem, it’s time to call for an expert’s repairs.
Rising Electric Bills
Did you know that roughly 50 percent of your home’s electric bill goes to heating and cooling it to the ideal temperature? Because of that, when your utility bills skyrocket, there’s a good chance that your air conditioner is part of the reason, if not the entire thing.
It’s certainly not uncommon for electric bills to rise as people use their air conditioner more often, so the best way for you to check this is to compare your current electric bill with the one you had from the previous year. Do the numbers look pretty similar, or are you seeing a big spike this year compared to last year? If you answered the latter, there are two explanations for why you’re paying more, and they both could lead to AC repair. The first is the most obvious, that your current system has a serious problem that’s keeping it from doing the job properly. The second is that your current system is fine but simply isn’t up to the task of efficiently cooling your home anymore.
In the latter case, you’ll probably want to skip AC repair for the time being and focus instead on replacing the system the first time. Repairing or replacing an old air conditioner isn’t always cheap, but it’s a much better solution than continuously paying higher bills to keep your Arlington, TX home comfortable.
Strange Sounds or Smells from the AC Unit
You have your senses for a reason, and one of their best functions is to let you know when something doesn’t look, sound or smell quite right. If there’s any kind of weird smell coming from your HVAC, or if you hear something that sounds like the motor is having problems, you’ll want to call for AC repair immediately.
Both of these are important to watch out for, because of very different reasons. A weird smell means repairs are a must because this likely means that mold has found its way into your system. Mold spores love the warm air that your AC pulls in from outside, and there’s a good chance that if you smell something off, that’s what you’re smelling. As mold can cause serious breathing problems for anyone sensitive to it, you’ll want to get rid of mold as soon as it’s safe to do so.
A weird sound is also a telltale sign that you’re in need of major AC repair sooner rather than later. This can mean that the HVAC is about to fail, and you might be in the range of a serious problem if you don’t get things fixed right away. A strange sound in your HVAC can mean any number of things, including the possibility of a fire or an explosion from the machine. In either case, it’s best not to find out.
It Doesn’t Blow Cold Air
By far the most obvious sign on the list, but it’s still worth mentioning because there are plenty of reasons why your HVAC might not be sending cool air through the home. Dirty coils, faulty equipment and just the age of the system can be reasons why your HVAC might not be working, and all of them require expert AC repair to get your home feeling normal again.
In the winter months, you might not notice if your air conditioner is doing anything at all, because you’re more likely to turn on the heat. But if you feel warm air blowing in the spring and you don’t have your windows open, you shouldn’t wait. Calling in an expert for AC repair can be the difference between a comfortable summer and a miserable one at home.
At Minuteman Heating & Air, we’re always happy to help keep your Arlington, TX home at the right temperature for you and your family’s needs. If you’re running into problems keeping the home cool, it might be time to call in an AC repair expert to make sure the job is done right. Contact us today to make full repairs!